The bit I like was "I always do whats best for my horses" "We all knew Aintree wasn't going to be the best course for Santini"
Also worth listening to the back end of Paul Nicholls' interview - https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/ondemand/98378 Very interesting!!
As I said earlier the yard form is certainly not good so who knows if one or two have scoped dirty or something else?
I thought Andy Dufresne did it well today too - jumped nicely in the main. I think Embittered is a decent yardstick and he pulled readily clear of him in the last 100 yards.
Embittered was looking a million bucks for that race too, I thought. There was some optimistic support for him in the market as well, so all indicated the O'brien yard felt he could beat Andy, but it wasn't to be. That's two successful chase wins in a row now and compared to last year, Andy Dufrense has being going along slightly under the radar this season so far. Where do you think they will aim him at?
Irish Arkle I would think - I don’t believe we have seen another JP owned novice chaser in Ireland just yet who might be better? Thinking a bit further ahead, the Arkle at Cheltenham is already looking very hot but why not? Maybe the Marsh and then the Grade 1 novice chase that Flemenstar won (will need to check the name quickly) Edit: Powers Gold Cup at the big Fairyhouse April meeting - not sure what it’s called these days?
I think Gordon has said he needs further than 2 miles, the Marsh would be an option but you would imagine only playing for places there at best and he did mention the 2m 4 grade 1 at Fairyhouse as well. He is giving him a break now until after Christmas if his comments post-race are to be believed. He's a good horse, but I think he will be caught a bit short against sterner opposition down the line. Not sure Cheltenham would entirely suit the horse either by his conformation but there is plenty of races he can win and I'm sure connections know where to go to do that.
